The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-04-30
A BIRTHDAY FESTIVAL.
NiIestoWn, ont.

Rev. A. w. Mason, one of the oldest
living clergymen in the Universalist de-
nomination, recently celebrated his eight
ieth birthday at the residence of his SON
in-law, Mr.. J. E. Middlemist, Minneapolis,
MINI. Nineteen members of his family
including all his living children, five in
number, and ten of his grandchildren,
gathered from distant homes to do honor
to the occasion. Letters OF congratula-
ton were received from absent relatives
and old parishioners. Beautiful flowers
and gifts expressed the good wishes and
affection of those who could not be pres
emit in person. From the letters the fol.
lowing is selected as one embodying the
sentiment of the whole:
81 wish very much that could join in Fa
Their Mason's birthday festivities. l send
him my congratulations, that having attained
to such ripe old age, he is able to receive
his octogenarian honors in the midst of all
his loving children. ALLOW me to say that
share their affection for their aged father,
their admiration for his many excellent quail
tiles, and a respect which amounts to rever-
ence for the real, solid characteristics that
distinguish the grand old man.
st has never been my fortune to meet
with any person so richly endowed with those
gifts that win and hold the love of his fellow
men as ia Father Mason. l know what
comical face he will make if you read this to
him, but you are all aware that write in full
lest sincerity. And how many communities,
neighborhoods, families, young people and
old, would applaud this sentiment to the
echol His vigorous health, so wonderful and
enjoyable, is matched by his vigorous intel
lect, while his great social and affectionaI
nature is remarkable for its perennial growth,
unfolding more and more, year after year,
ever gathering new friends and admirers into
the circle to which his warm heart sets no
boundaries. have maryelled that inereas-
ing age has so utterly failed to encrust his
intellect. There is nothing of the " old fogy''
about him. He is as open to fresh, new
thought and progressive ideas as a young
man, and keeps himself abreast of the age
in every respect.
"Grand, happy old man His children
may well feel proud of him and find it
pleasure to fill his declining years to the brim
with comfort and happiness.
With best wishes for Father Mason and
his children, Yours, w.s.B."
Mr.. Mason has been an active minister
in the denomination for over forty years.
His warm sympathies and unbounded
charity made him beloved pastor, while
ihe originality of his thought and the
strength OF his convictions constituted
an effective preacher. His influence over
the young men Of his congregations was
very marked and doubtless directed hun
dreds of lives toward the good, the true
and the right. The tenderness of his ma
ture made him welcome visitor iii the
homes Of the afflicted, and his generous
gladness in the Joy of others secured an
equal welcome to the festivities of the
prosperous. Since his retirement from
the work OF a settled minister, his services |
have been requested, far and near, at fu-
nerals and weddings, and his occasional
efforts in the pulpit are still acceptable
to thinkers and seekers after truth.
For forty successive winters Mr.. Mason |
taught classes in vocal music in addition |
to his labors as preacher aud pastor 81
have tried" he says, 81 to instruct some
fifteen thousand people in the art of
and have had the names of thir-
teen Thousand recorded on my books"
classes were scattered through the |
New England and Western States, made |
up sometimes of the young people OF his
parishes, but oftener of those who had no |
with his religious views. Mr.. |
Mason possessed a voice of exceptional |
sweetness and strength, with a sympa-
thetic quality that aroused the greatest
in his hearers. Had he been
swayed by the personal ambition which |
many artists he might have
achieved worldwide fame in this direc-
ton. 1 have heard him sing with cho-
rus of two hundred and fifty, supported
by an orchestra, when his voice rose
above all othera, clear and sweet, every
word he uttered being distinctly under.
stood. Whoever heard him on such oc-
easions never forgot the Impression made.
Now at tho advanced age Of eighty his
voice continues remarkably strong and
clear and added greatly to the pleasure
IF this birthday festival The after din
ler exercises were enliyened by a spright-
y contest between him, his children aud
for the musical hOnors Of
he occasion, which we're awarded to him
without a dissenting voice.
The company separated with the re-
peated wish that all might meet again to
celebrate Mr.. Mas7n's ninetieth birthday